Pliego, who was arrested March 22 on a charge of second-degree breach of peace, submitted a letter of resignation on Wednesday to Superintendent of Schools JeanAnn Paddyfote.

Pliego, of New Milford, and Jayme Lynn McGovern, Bethel's athletic director, were arrested at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill, where they were attending an athletic conference. Each was charged with second-degree breach of peace.

"I have let the people I trusted and respected most down," Pliego wrote in his resignation letter. "Although the arrest alone may have explanation, the media frenzy and my emotional state have made it clear I need to step down as athletic director."

He added, "I am sorry I brought negative attention to myself and the district ... Thankfully I have a supporting family and caring friends who believe I can become that proud person I once was."

A source close to McGovern said she and Pliego got into a fight at the convention after drinking. McGovern went back to her room and Pliego followed her and they got into an altercation in her room, according to the source. When Pliego left, McGovern called another athletic director, who convinced her to call the police, and her call to Rocky Hill police led to both her and Pliego's arrest, the source said.

Pliego and McGovern are free on $500 bond each. Their next court date is May 3 in state Superior Court in New Britain. Protective orders are in place for both parties, according to court documents.

Their cases have been referred to the court's family relations officer, court documents show.

Both were placed on administrative leave by their respective schools after their arrests.

"I initiated the investigation (into the arrest) on Monday and it was ongoing until Mr. Pliego submitted his letter of resignation," Paddyfote said Wednesday afternoon. "He will be paid for the days worked and vacation earned on a pro-rated basis."

Calls to Pliego's home for comment were not returned. McGovern declined comment Wednesday, asking that "everybody respect our privacy in this difficult time."

Pliego became athletic director at New Milford schools on July 1, 2012 at a salary of $104,657 a year.

He had been serving as interim athletic director since Dec. 1, 2011 when he returned to the district from an athletic director job in Brewster, N.Y.

He is married with two children and moved his family back to New Milford in December 2011, saying he had taken the interim athletic director job because he wanted his children to grow up in New Milford.

He had originally worked for New Milford Public Schools from 1995 to 2007.